Trail Running? Long...

[Jolt]

I really love trail running. Here in Rhode Island we have stony, technical trails that are often wet, swampy, stumpy and slippery. It requires being really in tune with everything - body, trail, feet, surroundings. So much more exciting than going around the block a few times.

Well said--in fact, roads are downright BORING when one gets used to trail running! Now when I have to run on the roads, I practically have to drag my butt out the door to do it.

[rocknrollgirl]

I only trail run. I cannot stand being on the road. If you take the advice that has been given here, I think you will do just fine. Start slowly, walk/run, stretch, good shoes....

Like Yellow said, I only run for time. The terrain varies so much that worry about "pace" does not work. I train that way, and I do just fine in races.

and enjoy, it is a whole different animal than being on the road.

[Red Rock]

Thank you to all for our information here. I have run on the track for time too but the trail is so much more intresting.

For hydration, does it really matter what you use? A Camelback vs. a hydration belt? Or is it really what you would prefer.

Thank you,
Red Rock

[rocknrollgirl]

Whatever works for you. I cannot stand anything around my waist, so I use a handheld natahn bottle or a pack.

[OakLeaf]

There are a couple of threads on hydration if you do a search. To me, a handheld really interfered with my arm swing. I used a 3-bottle waist pack for a while (the single bottle one was HORRIBLE, bounced and sloshed all over the place besides really inhibiting hip rotation), but a full 60 oz of water in my Nathan Intensity pack weighs me down less than 24 oz in the waist pack. Love the thing, and it's got plenty of room for whatever else you need.

[Red Rock]

Checking back in again...

I looked the other day for the hydration links. Sorry for being a numbskull about not looking those up before I asked everyone. They were very informative. I really liked your evaluation of the Nathan Intensity pack Oakleaf. You must have felt like you struck gold with that. I have a wide variety of Camelbaks, but looking at the make of the Nathan it looks like it would actually fit the body better than the Camelbaks. My problem would be convincing my DH that I would like another one for running.

As it is, I went to our local running shop and have a pair of New Balance trail runners ordered. I have been pondering if I should tell him to get a second pair so I can rotate though the shoes.

If I work through the C25K or the Galloway method, will I actually giving my body a chance to adjust to running? As a result reducing injury? I guess I am affraid of hurting some body part. Can I really over do it with either of these programs?

Thank you,
Red Rock

[Becky]

I have been pondering if I should tell him to get a second pair so I can rotate though the shoes.

Not a bad idea... I think I'd run in the first pair for a couple of weeks, just to make sure that my body liked them, before I dropped more cash on pair number 2.